The government has approved the development of the six-lane Kaliagura-Baunsaguar section of NH-130 in Odisha on Thursday as part of the Raipur-Visakhapatnam Economic Corridor, which will cost around Rs 1,539 crore. Under the Bharatmala Pariyojna plan, Nitin Gadkari, Minister of Road Transport and Highways announced the 240 km greenfield project in the state. In Nabarangpur district, the project will pass through Umerkote, Raighara, Jharigaon, Dabugoan, Papadahandi, and Nabarangpur; in Koraput district, it will pass through Boriguma, Dasamantapur, Koraput, Semiliguda, and Pottangi. An NHAI official told the media that the project's land acquisition process is well underway, and the district administrations of Koraput and Nabarangpur have pledged their full support for the project's timely completion. The project has been given top priority by both the federal and state governments because it will help the tribal-dominated region's socio economic development. The national highway project will acquire around 1,500 hectares of land, including large patches of forest land. District administrations have begun the process of forest diversion as well. The NH authorities have begun formalities with the railway authorities for the construction of one railway overbridge in the Koraput district. Construction on the project in the Nabarangpur district, according to NH officials, will begin in the coming months. The proposed project will significantly reduce travel time between Raipur and Visakhapatnam, as well as improve connectivity to some of the district's remote pockets in Koraput and Nabarangpur. It will facilitate the transportation of perishable goods such as fruits, vegetables, and dairy products, as well as the marketing and development of handicrafts, as well as the creation of new jobs and trade along the route. Sunabeda is the section's obligatory point due to the presence of major industries such as Nalco, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, and others. Image Source Also read: Congested stretch of 9 km on NH-82 to be developed as four lane road